Congratulations to Tasha Farrar, MD, on the publication of her chapter “Early Detection of Post Partum Depression,” which will appear in the first quarter 2010 edition of Advances in Psychology Research, Volume 62 (Nova Sciences, 2010).

The 17-page work was written to assist primary care providers (general practitioners, pediatricians, obstetrician/gynecologists, etc.) in better understanding the dangers of undiagnosed peri-partum depression.

“This is a psychiatric issue that most often plays out in the primary care setting, and many PCPs do not feel adequately prepared to manage it,” explained Farrar. “But if it’s effectively treated it can have positive effects for both mother and child.”

In her chapter (co-written with Rebecca Christopherson and Laura J. Miller) Farrar presents screening techniques and guidelines for action following a positive screen fro peri-partum depression. Farrar notes that approximately 50 percent of positive screens do not result in an actual diagnosis of depression.

“Some people confuse a positive screen with a positive diagnosis,” said Farrar, “when the actual diagnosis could be something else, such as anxiety.”

Other key components of the chapter include techniques for suicide assessment, dealing with dangerous ideas (for example, harming the baby) and a stepped approach on when and how to manage mild to moderate depression and when a case requires quick referral to a higher level of care.